Orthodontic apparatus

ABSTRACT

Orthodontic apparatus employing parallel unbent arch wires in cooperation with brackets having predetermined ideal three dimensional positions built into the bracket structure for each tooth. Friction between the bracket and arch wires is minimized by using point contacts. In one embodiment, a plastic bracket may be used having snap-in slots for holding the arch wires. In another embodiment a staple may be inserted in the bracket to hold the arch wires. Both embodiments also permit the use of ligature wires to hold the arches. The unbent light arch wires may be configured in pairs, normally one above the other, or in threes, triangular or in line, to provide greater rigidity. Substantial time saving is achieved through the use of the orthodontic apparatus herein disclosed while at the same time achieving greater success with less skill by the practitioner. The invention overcomes the shortcomings of prior art &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;edgewise&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; and &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;light-wire&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; orthodontic techniques.

United States Patent [191 Northcutt Dec. 4, 1973 1 ORTHODONTIC APPARATUS[76] Inventor: Michael E. Northcutt, 1704 [57] ABSTRACT Miramonte Ave.,Los Altos Hills, Orthodontic apparatus employing parallel unbent archCalif. 94040 wires in cooperation with brackets having predeterminedideal three dimensional positions built into the [22] Filed 1971 bracketstructure for each tooth. Friction between the Appl. No.: 193,400

Primary Examiner-Russell R. Kinsey Assistant Examiner-J. Q. LeverAtt0meyWilliam E. Schuyler, Jr. et al.

bracket and arch wires is minimized by using point contacts. In oneembodiment, a plastic bracket may be used having snap-in slots forholding the arch wires. in another embodiment a staple may be insertedin the bracket to hold the arch .wires. Both embodiments also permit theuse of ligature wires to hold the arches. The unbent light arch wiresmay be configured in pairs, normally one above the other, or in threes,triangular or in line, to provide greater rigidity. Substantial timesaving is achieved through the use of the orthodonti c apparatus hereindisclosed while at the same time achieving greater success with lessskill by the practitioner. The invention overcomes the shortcomings ofprior art edgewise and light-wire orthodontic techniques.

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l ORTHODONTIC APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The inventionrelates generally to orthodontics and more particularly to novelorthodontic brackets and archwires for use with suchbrackets.

A number of prior art orthodontic techniques have been tried over theyears; those forming a background to the present invention will bediscussed.

In the edgewise technique, t h eearl@st orthodon-' axis of the tooth toor from adjacent teeth) force it is' generated by the bracketconfiguration. Some orthodontists have cut the bracket slot at an angle,so as to provide a torquing (tipping of the major axis of the tooth toor from the palate) of the tooth. Differences in tooth width have beenaccommodated by some orthodontists by placing shims under the bracket tooffset the bracket position in the horizontal plane. The basic applianceusing Angles appliance with some modifications is still the standard ofthe art today.

In US. Pat. No. 3,477,128 tovDr. L. F. Andrews, amodified edgewisetechnique is disclosed in which the various modifications listed abovehave been brought together by the use of a cast metal bracket.Substantially greater expense is incurred in precision casting thebracket and consequently the standard edgewise arch continues to beemployed. Dr. Andrews notes the need' for horizontal correction' due to'the v 2 trol is not possible with only one point contact on the teeth.

' The edgewise and Begg techniques account for 90 percent or more ofcurrent orthodontic treatment at this time. However, neither techniqueis satisfactory in providing precise three dimensional control of toothmovement, particularly when extreme malocclusions are encountered.

Other variations of the edgewise technique are disclosed in US. Pat. No.2,756,502 to V. D. Bowles and US. Pat. No. 2,330,315 to S. L. Winslow.Both techniques suffer from the frictional binding and excessive forcelevels of the edgewise technique. In addition, the practical requirementof precision bending two independent archwires to minute angles renderthe techniques essentially impossible to practice.

In U.S.- Pat. No. 2,756,502 to V. D. Bowles, an orthodontic brackethaving a pair of parallel grooves for accepting one or a pair of archwires is disclosed. Although a pair of round arch wires are shown inFIG. 1 of the patent, it is suggested that the heavier and rectangulararch wires should be used in the intermediate and final phases of toothalignment and movement. When two wires are used they must beindependently bent to the exact same configuration or conflict with eachother; a time-consuming procedure; Also the long groove lengths wouldcause greater friction with the width of the individual teeth, but doesnot relate such correction to a reproducible arch form. That the mereobservation of anatomical differences in widths of teeth does not relatethem to an overall appliance is clearly evident, in that the teeth couldbe placed all in a straight line and still meet the patentees criteria.

In the edgewise approach functional resistance and binding between thewire and bracket slot walls is encountered. Heavy rectangular wires of'the magnitude of 0.022 X 0.028 inches are typically used which areusually painful to the patient and may cause root damage. Torquingmovements are obtained by binding of the arch on the upper and lowerslot walls of the brackets; when torquing forces are employed all othervector forces are impeded. See FIG. 17 which is described in greaterdetail hereinafter.

The Begg light wire technique is an attempt to avoid the painful andfrequently destructive forces of the edgewise technique. This techniqueis described in considerable detail in an article entitled DifferentialForce in Orthodontic Treatment by Dr. P. R. Begg in the American Journalof Orthodontics, Vol. 42, No. 7,

July, l956, p. 48. -In this technique'only a single light round wire isused. This wire is pinned at one point only and is a substantialimprovement over the edgewise technique in reducing the amount of forceapplied to the teeth. Frictional resistance is greatly lowered but onepoint control permits excessive tipping which requires great skill anddiligence to overcome in later stages of treatment. Moreover, threedimensional conarch wires, thus inhibiting the desired tooth movement.In addition, the ligature tie areas are closed so that the securingwires mustbe hand-fed through slots at a further loss of time.

S. L. Winslow in US. Pat. No. 2,330,315 describes a technique usingperpendicular rectangular arch wires in a dual edgewise approach. Noattemptis made to ultimately position each tooth as to optimum locationsince each tooth bracket is identical andhas no built-in anglesor in/outspacing. The long contact between the rectangular arch wires and bracketgrooves necessarily cause binding and inhibits desired tooth movement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The Ideal Occlusion Until the presentinvention, the science of orthodontics has largely been an art formdepending largely on the clinical skill of the orthodontist. Forexample, no textbook defines the specific torque, tip and horizontalspatial. relation of each tooth and consequently the correct occlusionvaried from practitioner to practitioner.

Considerable work by the present inventor and others has led to anunderstanding of ideal occlusion. There is a reference normal for teethjust as there is for eyes, ears, and other body organs. The followingchart gives the relation of each individual tooth in three planes ofspace. Angles are related to the coronal surfaces of the teeth sincethat is the portion to which the bracket must relate. Horizontalrelation is measured in from an ideal arch to the tooth surface.

LOWER Tooth Tip Torque In central 2 1 L3 mm lateral 2 l 1.3 mm cuspid 5l l 0.6 mm lst biscuspid 2 l7 0.15 mm 2d biscuspid 2 22 0.l5 mm lstmolar 2 30 0 mm 2d molar 2 35 0 mm UPPER Tooth Tip Torque In central 5+7 0.8 mm lateral 9 +3 [.2 mm cuspid 11 7 0.4 mm lst bicuspid 2 7 0.5 mm2d bicuspid 2 7 0.4 mm lst molar 5 9 mm 2d molar -9 0 mm Tip Cant ofroot axis away from midline (see FIG. 21)

Torque Cant of root axis toward palate (see FIG. 22)

Horizontal measurement in from ideal Bonwill Hawley arch form.

It is important that the teeth be related to anatomically correctcurvature which can be printed on the treatment sheetof the patient sothat the orthodontist can scientifically relate each arch to an endpoint blueprint. The arches may be of course modified as human archforms vary slightly in square, tapering, and ovoid fashion.

Ideal Arch Form The ideal arch form is described in Strangs Text (Strangand Thompson p. 728-729, Leo Ferbiger, Philadelphia, Pa., 1958) asfollows. Reference is made to FIG. 32.

Using as a radius the sum of the mesio-distal widths of a maxillarycentral, lateral and canine tooth, plus two l/l6 inch allowances placedbetween the central and lateral, lateral and canine measurements asdescribed on page 732, draw the circle A-B, Plate V, placing the centeof the circle Y, on the line C-D. Maintaining the same radius but withthe point of the compass at E, bisect the circumference of the circle oneach side at the points F and G. Draw the lines H-.] and H-K whichextended indefinitely Connect these lines by a tangential line runningthrough E and drawn at right angles to the line C-D, thus forming anequilateral triangle H-J-K. Using the length of one side of thisequilateral triangle as a radius, with the point of the compass on theline C-D, at the point L, and the pencil at the point E, construct thecircle M-N. With the radius of this circle, divide its circumference sixtimes, beginning at the point EjDraw the lines P-R and S-T.

To the radius E-Y, add one-half its length, which will give the radiusE-Y-U and also 7-Z. Using this radius and placing the point of thecompass at Z, which is onetenth inch below the point U, on the line C-D,construct the line 6-7-8, the center of which is one-tenth inch belowthe point E. The line 6-7-8 extends fivetenths inch on each side of theline C-D.

Arch Wire Cross Section A most critical factor in the design of anorthodontic appliance is the cross section of wire to be used. Smallchanges in cross section can dramatically influence both the maximalelastic load and the load-deflection rate.

The maximal elastic load varies directly as the third power of thediameter of round wire and the loaddeflection rate varies directly asthe fourth power of the diameter. The most obvious method of reducingthe load-deflection rate of an active member is to cut down the size ofthe wire.

The fact that load-deflection rate varies as the fourth power of thediameter in round wire suggests the critical nature of the selection ofa proper cross section. A piece of 0.018 inch wire is notinterchangeable with 0.020 inch wire, for with a similar activation(ignoring play in the bracket), the 0.020 inch wire will deliver almosttwice as much force. The dramatic difference between wire sizes can befurther demonstrated by comparing two similar activations in a 0.020inch and 0.010 inch round wire. The 0.020 inch round wire does notdeliver twice as much force but rather 16 times as much 'force,load-deflection varying as the fourth power of the diameter.

Furthermore, because of the large amount of round wire that is availablefor commercial purposes, the properties of the wire, includingcorss-sectional tolerances, are far superior in round wire than in anyother cross sections.

Wire Length The length of a member may influence the maximal elasticload and the load-deflection in a number of ways, depending upon theconfiguration and loading of the spring. The cantilever has been chosento demonstrate the effect of length, since the cantilever principle iswidely used in orthodontic mechanisms. A finger spring may be visualizedfor the following discussion.

FIG. 31 shows a cantilever attached at its right end with a verticalforce F applied. The distance 1 represents the length of the cantilevermeasured paral lel to its structural axis. Inthis type of loading, theloaddeflection rate will vary, inversely as the third power of thelength. In other words, the longer the cantilever, the lower theload-deflection rate. The maximal elastic load varies inversely as thelength of the cantilever. Once again, the longer the cantilever, thelower the maximal elastic load.

Increasing the length of the cantilever is a better way to reduce theload-deflection rate than reducing the cross section. Increasing thelength of the cantilever markedly reduces the load-deflection rate, yetthe maximal elastic load is not radically altered, since it varieslinearly with the length. Added length within the practical confines ofthe oral cavity is an excellent way of improving spring properties. Aparallel arch' technique therefore doubles the presently used lengths.

.Pressure v is not exceeded and resistance will not build up.

Since the orthodontic forces frequently act through moment arms on theroot, even tipping forces encountered in so-called light-wire techniquesmay result in incredibly high pressures. Useful discussions concerningexcessive force in orthodontics are found in Technique and TreatmentWith the Light-Wire Appliance, Joseph R. Jarabak and James A. Fizzell,C. V. Mosby Co., St. Louis, I963; A Critique of the Begg Technique Fromthe Standpoint of Biomechanics," Jack Perlow, American Journal ofOrthodontics, Vol. 54, No. 6, June, 1968, pp. 407-432; Force-InducedChanges in the Vascularity of the Periodontal Ligament, Anthony A.Gianelly, American Journal of Orthodontics, Vol. 55, No. 1, January,1969, pp. 5-11, and A Study of Root Resorption in Treated Class II,Division I Malocclusions, Robert W. DeShields, The Angle Orthodontist,October, 1969. Oppenheim, A.: Possibility for Orthondontic PhysiologicMovement. American Journal of Orthodontics, Vol. 30, 277-345, I944.(T.M. Graber, Current Orthodontic Concepts and Techniques, W.B. SaundersCompany, Philadelphia 1969.

The present invention is concerned with the compounding of light forcesin order to achieve maximum tooth movement without applying excessivepressure to the alveolar process. Light arch wires of high resiliencyare employed. The basic philosophy underlying this in-' vention is toprovide a light sustained pressure of greater duration, rather than thecurrent heavy pressures employed by the edgewise technique.

Appliances According to the Present Invention tic bracket is providedfor cooperation with a novel arch wire. In one embodiment the bracket isparticularly adapted for being formed from plastic material; in afurther embodiment the bracket is formed from soft metal. In onepreferred embodiment the arch wire is a single pair of parallel unbentlight round wires; additional embodiments of the arch wire include threesuch wires arranged in a triangular cross section and three such wiresarranged in line.- v

An orthodontic bracket is provided for each tooth having a base surfacefollowing the general curve of the particular tooth. Since the bracketmay be formed of plastic or soft metal the base may be adapted exactlyto the particular tooth with seating pressure. Four point contacts areprovided in the bracket for receiving arch wires; these point contactscompletely geometrically define the ideal three dimensional location ofthe respective tooth (end point'tip angle, torque angle and horizontaloffset distance as defined above), with respect to the arch wires whichconform to the ideal arch form (FIG. 27 ).The arch wires are securedtogether in a pair or in threes to define a plane. In the plasticembodiment of the bracket, V-shaped slots taper to a point beyond whichthe arch wires may be snapped' in to secure the arch wires in lowfriction point contact rings.

In accordance with the present invention, the orthodontic bracket foreach tooth has a predetermined structure that cooperates with the unbentlight wires to cause the application of the aforementioned three di--mensional forces to ultimately bring the teeth into their anatomicallyideal relationship.

Present techniques require 45 minutes per patient for the constructionof one pair of arches (upper and lower). It is extremely difficult tobend with precision all the angles required. With the current inventionarch One basic effect of the present appliance is to replace the heavyarch of conventional appliances with a gentle push-pull force.Pairedarches will greatly help to eliminate the occurrence of undesiredcollateral effects such as tipping of teeth; thus, a duplication ofmovements and retracing of previous corrections may be minimized.

Since only light forces are encountered, the bracket itself can bestamped from soft metal, thus saving the expensive manufacturing costsencountered in casting or precision machining. Also, the light forcespermit fabrication of the bracket in plastic or similar resinousmaterial. The latter materials, unlike metal, can be affixeddirectly tothe tooth by any suitable cement such as epoxy resin to therebyeliminate the intermediate tooth band. Plastic brackets have generallybeen found unsuitable for .use with heavy wires employed in the edgewiseorthodontic technique because the heavy forces involved loosen thebrackets from the teeth. 7

Pain is a response to pressure. Pressure Force per unit of area. Byreducing wire diameter from 0.020 to 0.010 inches a 16 fold reduction offorce occurs. Two 0.010 inch wires an 8 fold reduction in force. Usingan area spread over four points increases the area and the pressure isreduced further. The pressure levels are reduced to be in harmoney withthe biomechanics of tissue physiology. Currently patients often leavethe orthodontists office in tears and suffer considerably for severaldays. By practicing the present invention, pain should be greatlyreduced sinceno other appliance is designed to function at such lightforce levels.

A virtually friction free cooperation between bracket and arch isachieved through the use of four point con- 5 tacts. Rings are designed0.020 thousandths in diameter, and considerable play exists using wiresof 0.010 diameter either singly or in pairs. It is intended that therings be coated with low friction material such as Teflon in order tofurther reduce friction. In addition, wires coated'with low frictionmaterial such as Teflon may also be used that are fabricated by the newplasma and metal oxide deposition techniques developed recently by thespaceand electronic industries. The same I 1 well known depositiontechniques may be used to facilwires willbe unbent and may beprefabricated at the factory to the ideal curvature. A template of theBonwill arch may be superimposed on the patientss starting models andselected-for the specific patient. Acetate forms as shown in FIG. 33 maybe employed. These may be printed on the treatment sheet so'that like ablueprint the work follows a logical sequence and precision frombeginning to end.

All manner of auxiliaries may be used in conjunction with theorthodontic appliances according to this invention.

itate the cementation of the brackets. A tremendous time loss ispresently experienced in recementing loose bands'This' may beessentially eliminated by oxide and other depositions inside the band asthe weak bonding area is currently the slick metal surface. Similarlysuch depositions greatly facilitate the direct cementation of plasticsto tooth surfaces.

In the case of plastic brackets the wire may be snapped to place withouthand tying: hand tying takes approximately fifteen minutes or more for apair of arches.

In the stamped metal bracket, a tube may be used to receive staples forholding the arch wires, a great time sever over current tying.

This technique more than any other lends itself to the directcementation of plastic brackets to tooth surfaces. The heavy forcesinvolved with the edgewise technique have tended to'distort andpullloose such brackets. Current time for handing. requires 3 to 4hours. With direct cementation the current invention should facilitatean immediate saving of much of this time.

Arch length is doubled by the use of two wires with advantages aspreviously discussed under wire length.

This, coupled with the more resilient use of low diameter wires willallow for a sustained light force application over a greater length oftime resulting in appointment intervals at 6 weeks instead of 3.Moreover, since the practitioner need not make any bends in the archwires another 45 minutes time is saved whenever new upper and lower archwires are placed. This is coupled to a tying time saving of ID to lminutes. Friction is greatly reduced allowing for faster and moreefficient movement of the teeth further reducing .the treatment time.

This appliance will facilitate the use of tooth colored plastic bracketsgetting away from the tin look.

Pressure injected plastic brackets and stamped brackets are notcurrently used due to the heavy forces presently required bythe edgewisetechnique. A great reduction in cost will be achieved by their use. Inaddition, round wires are greatly cheaper than milled edgewise wires ofminute dimensions such as 0.022 X 0.028 thousandths (the conventionalwire). The same fundamental bracket form may be used with a fewmodifications for most teeth, the major variable being the positioningof the ring points. This is a reat savings over other techniques such asAndrews where rights and lefts are different and require expensivecasting procedures for each tooth. The greatest saving occurs in theorthodontists time. It should be possible to reduce banding and archtime as well as tie in time to the point where two to three times asmany patients can be treated at half the price.

Many adults are, desperately in need of treatment but fail to receivehelp due to their self-consciousness regarding bands. The use of plasticbrackets should extend treatment to many now out of reach.

Since arches require no bends general dentists will be able toincorporate orthodontics into their scope of treatment. At present theintricate angles and bends required limit orthodontics to a select fewwho have been able economically to afford to take the additional twoyears training required to develop this skill. The result is that thereare approximately 125,000 dentists in the BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THEDRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of theorthodontic bracket according to the present invention shown affixed toa tooth.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view along lines 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional plan view along lines 4-4 of FIG.3.

FIG. 5 is a broken away elevation view along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a further preferred embodiment of theorthodontic bracket according to the present invention shown affixed toan orthodontic tooth band.

' FIG. 7 is an elevation view along lines 7 7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an elevation view along lines 88 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is an elevation view, similar to FIG. 8, of an upper molarbracket according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an elevation view, similar to FIG. 8, of a lower molarbracket according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 1 l is a perspective view of a geometric plane defined by theparallel arch wires of the present inven tion.

FIG. 12(a) is a perspective view of one embodiment of the parallel archwires according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 12(b) is a perspective view of a variation of the parallel archwires of FIG. 12(a).

FIG. 12(0) is a perspective view of a further variation of the parallelarch wires of FIG. 12(b).

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the parallelarch wires according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the parallelarch wires according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an elevation view of the arch wires of FIG. 12 attached to abracket according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an elevation view of the arch wires of FIG. 14 attached to abracket according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged cut-away elevation and crosssectional view of theprior art edgewise orthodontic technique when a rectangular arch wire isinserted into a rectangular bracket slot.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged cut-away elevation and crosssectional view viewof the orthodontic technique of the present invention where a pair oflight circular arch wires are inserted into a pair of V-shaped slots forbold ing at a pair of point contacts.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a left upper central incisorillustrating the terminology conventionally used todescribe the planesand directions associated therewith.

FIG. 20a is a plan view of a molar illustrating the terminology fordistal axial rotation.

FIG. 20b is a plan view of a molar illustrating the terminology formerial axial rotation.

FIG. 21 is an elevation view along the labial-lingual axis of a centralincisor illustrating tipping correction.

FIG. 22 is an elevation view through the mesial-distal axis of the toothof FIG. 21 illustrating torquing correction.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of bracket and arch wires according to thepresent invention showing the flexing of the arch wires in early stagesof correction.

FIG. 24 is a plan view of a molar having bracket and arch wiresaccording to the present invention, showing the flexing of the archwires to produce a mesial rotational force. FIG. 25 is a perspectiveview of the brackets according to the present invention attached to acentral incisor and cuspidillustrating the use of parallel retractionarches.

FIG. 26 is a plan view of a typical set of teeth showing the correctiontechnique when teeth are so far out of line that the arch wires cannotbe flexed to reach the teeth.

FIG. 27 is a schematic elevation view of several brackets according tothe present invention with spring auxiliaries.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a bracket according to the presentinvention and a tooth, showing the bracket coding and the notches forlining up the bracket on the tooth.

FIG. 29(a) is an elevation view showing the desired torque angle for theright lower'teeth.

FIG. 29(b) is an elevation view showing the desired tip angle for theright lower teeth.

FIG. 29(0) is a plan view showing the desired in spacing of the rightlower teeth with respect to the unflexed arch wire.

FIG. 30(a) is an elevation view showing the manner in which the bracketin cooperation with the arch wires according to the present inventionprovide the desired tip correction.

FIG. 30(b) is an elevation view showing the manner in which the bracketin cooperation with the arch wires of the present invention provide thedesired torque correction.

FIG. 30(c) is a plan view showing the manner in which the bracket incooperation with the arch wires of the present invention provide .thedesired in spacing from the arch wires.

FIG. 31 is a schematic view illustrating a mechanical principle usefulin understanding the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram for use in deriving an ideal arch form.

FIG. 33 is a portion of an orthodontists record for a particularpatient, illustrating the use of the ideal arch forms.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS elements. The orthodonticbracket 2 comprises a uni tary structure having a'base portion4. Thebracket is preferably formed by injection molding of phenolic resins,epoxies, plastics and any other structural materials that are suitableand capable of being injection molded.

The bracket may also be formed from soft metal. Base 4 is generallycurved to approximte'the tooth contour so that it conforms exactly tothe tooth contour with seating pressure applied by a I hand tool whenthe bracket is installed. In this embodiment a tooth encircling band isnot necessary. The back side of base 4 has an oxide deposit layer 5 tofacilitate cementation of the plastic ormetal bracket to the tooth 9 byepoxy resin or other means. The deposit layer 5 may be any suitablelayer of metal, silicon, etc. deposited by well known techniques as usedin electronic microcircuit technology, for example. A pair of parallelvertical ridges 6 and 8 are widely spaced on the bracket base 4.Desirably, the ridges are located as widely apart as possible for thegeometry of the particular tooth to which the bracket is to be affixed.The length of the ridges 6 and 8, and hence of the bracket base verticaldimension, with which they are coextensive, is also as great as possiblethe greatest control over the ,tooth. Two V-shaped slots 14 are providedcrosswise in each ridge. Each slot tawhere it is held by ring 15. Ring15 is tapered so that only a narrow circular periphery contacts the archwire to minimize friction; The inner peripheral portion of ring 15 maybe coated with a low friction material 17, such asTeflon, to furtherreduce friction. Four notches 22 are provided in the ends of ridges 6and 8 for use in holding a ligature wire 24 in place. The ligature wire24 may be used in addition to the snap-in rings 15 to hold the archwires 16 and 18.

Alternative embodiments of the basic bracket as described in FIGS. l-5are shown in FIGS. 6-10. These embodiments are intended to be fabricatedfrom metal and attached to the tooth by means of -a conventional toothband 3. It is possible, however, to employ a plastic bracket incombination with a tooth band in practicing this invention.

The orthodontic bracket 2 preferably comprises a unitary structure ofsoft metal having a base portion 4. Base 4 is generally curvedtoapproximate the tooth contour so that it conforms exactly to the toothcontour with seating pressure applied by a hand tool when the bracket isinstalled. The back side of base 4 is welded to a tooth band 3. A pairof parallel vertical ridges 6 and 8 are widely spaced on the bracketbase 4 as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5. The top portion of ridges 6and 8 are flared to define a pair of open-ended tubes 10 and 12,respectively. Two V-shaped slots 14 are provided crosswise in eachridge. As explained below, each slot depth is significant and ispredetermined for the tooth on which the particular bracket is to beused. The V-shape of slots 14 facilitates the reception of arch wires 16and 18. The top surface of ridges 6 and 8,'and hence the axes of tubes10 and 12, are dimensioned so that arch wires 16'and 18 are held againstthe bottoms of slots 14 when the U-shaped staple 20 has its parallelarms inserted in tubes 10 and 12. Four notches 22 are provided in theends of ridges 6 and 8 for use in holding a ligature wire (not shown) inplace. The ligature wire may be used instead of staple 20 to hold thearch wires 16 and 18. Thus, the practitioner has the option of twomethods to secure the arch wires.

As will be explained further below, the brackets of FIGS. 1-8 can beused with either one 'or two arch wires. Also, as shown in examplesbelow, either or both tubes 10 and 12 can be used for auxiliaries whenthe ligature wire 24 instead of the staple 20 is used to hold the archwires.

In FIG. 9, a further alternative embodiment of the bracket of FIGS. 1-8is shown. The bracket of FIG. 9

i is an upper molar bracket: since this bracket is located in terms ofthe particular tooth size in order to provide at the end of the archwires when installed, a plurality of holes 30 areprovided' instead ofslots 14 in a single ridge 8. The arch wires may thus be inserteddirectly in the holes 30. The tubes 10 and 12 for holding a staple 20,are thus also omitted. A tube 32 having its major axis disposedgenerally parallel to the arch wires that are inserted in holes 30 isprovided for accepting headgear wires. I

FIG. 10, shows a lower molar bracket, similar to the upper molar bracketof FIG. 8. The lower molar bracket has a single ridge 8 in which a pairof holes 30 are provided to accept the arch wires. No headgear tube isprovided.

A set of parallel unbent light-wire arch wires suitable for use with thebrackets of FIGS. 1-10 are shown in FIGS. 12(a-c). The upper and lowerarch wires 34 and 36 are substantially identical and conform, forexample, to the conventional Bonwill arch form. Arch wires 34 and 36 arelight wires of round cross section. In accordance with the teachings ofthis invention, arch wires 34 and 36 are not bent by the practitionerprior to their installation. As explained below, some flexing of thearch wires occurs when installed, but it is intended that the arch wiresare not permanently deformed when installed. Several connecting wires,including a wire 38 at the midline of arch wires 34, 36 and twosymmetrically disposed wires 40 and 42 distally spaced from the midlinewire 38, hold the two arch wires one above the other in substantialregistration in FIG. 12(a). The wires may be soldered, for example.Thus, the planes defined by arch wires 34 and 36 are parallel and wires38, 40 and 42 are perpendicular to those planes. A pair of frontwardopening hooks 44 and 46 can be located distally along the arch wires foruse with auxiliaries or headgear. The hooks can be soldered to thearch'wires 34 and 36.

In order to provide a greater force at the upper or lower slots of thebracket 2 (FIGS. 1-10), the arch wires 34 and 36 can be offset so thatthe midline of one extends farther forward than the other. The archwires remain in parallel planes. Thus, the midline connecting wire 38 isno longer vertical, but is angled when viewed from the side. FIG. l2( b)shows the lower arch wire 36 farther forward than upper arch wire 34.FIG. 12(c) shows the upper arch wire 34 farther forward. Theseconfigurations of FIGS. 6(b) and 6(c) are useful during theearly phaseof treatment particularly in extreme cases of hypoand hyper-divergence.

FIG. 11 is intended to show a basic geometric concept underlying theparallel archwires of this invention. The parallel wires 34 and 36 liein a curved plane 37 that conforms to the ideal arch fonn. Each bracket2 (FIGS. 1-10) has four contact points 39, 41, 43, 45 that completelydefine a three dimensional spatial location. Hence, by constructing eachtooths bracket by properly choosing the slot depths (and ringpositions), the tooth's three dimensional orientation is completelydetermined.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show two further variations of the basic arch wireconfiguration as shown in FIG. 12. In FIG. 13 a third arch .wire 35 isprovided outside the two inside wires 34, 36. Viewed in cross section, atriangle is formed by the three wires 34, 35, 36. Additional connectingwires 40', 40", 38', 38", 42 and 42" are provided to secure the threewires together. Hooks 44 and 46 are accordingly modified to mount on thetriangularly configured arch wires. The triangular arch wires of FIG. 13are usable with the brackets of FIGS. 1-10 without modification to thosebrackets, as shown in FIG. 15.

In FIG. 14 the third wire 35 is provided in line" or in the same plane37 (FIG. 11) as arch wires 34 and 36.

All three wires are held together by vertical wires 38,

40, 42 as in FIG. 12. A modified bracket as shown in FIG. 16 having athird slot 14' is required to accept the third arch wire 35.

The addition of the third wire 35 as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 providesadditional rigidity and force which may be helpful particularly in thefinal phases of treatment.

FIG. 17 shows a portion of a prior art edgewise bracket 49 having arectangular arch wire 53. The wire 53 is bent by the orthodontist to itssolid line position to have a torque axis as shown in the front teetharea to tip the roots to axis AA. The wire is flexed to axis AB (53')and inserted into slot 51. Ultimately, the bracket and tooth rotate tothe desired torque axis AA (49'). During rotation the edgewise arch wire53 binds at the surfaces of slot 51 to inhibit movement of the bracketand tooth in any other planes.

Conversely, the point contact provided by the brackets 2 and round archwires of FIGS. 1-16 provide virtually friction free contact that permitssimultaneous correction in all planes of motion. The parallel verticalarch wires 34, 36 are flexed and inserted into the slots 14. The greaterpulling action of the upper wire 34 results in the rotation of thebracket and tooth to bracket position 2.

In order to lay a precise semantic groundwork for the discussion tofollow, FIGS. 19 and 20 show the basic directions used to describe toothorientation, translation and rotation. In FIG. 19 the terms are appliedto a left upper central incisor 48. It will be apparent that the termsare equally applicable with appropriate changes to anterior teeth andlower teeth. Thus, the

mesial direction is always a direction along the arch toward the mesialplane (the median vertical longitudinal plane that divides the mouthinto right and left halves). Many orthodontic references refer totipping and torquing. In terms of FIG. 19 tipping is a rotation alongthe buccal-lingual axis so that the root moves distally of mesially andtorquing is a rotation along the mesial distal axis. Rotation along themajor axis of the tooth, the apical-occlusal axis is shown in FIG. 20.In FIG. 20(a) a molar'50 is shown with reference to distal axialrotation. FIG. 29(b) shows'molar 50 with reference to mesial axialrotation. It will be apparent that a combination 'of forces and momentsmay simultaneously act on a tooth in a complex manner to bring about thedesired correction.

FIGS. 21-24 show a bracket 2 in position on a central incisor 48..InFIG. 21 an elevation view along the labial-lingual axis shows thetipping correction action. The solid lines show the uncorrected positionof incisor 48; uncorrected apical-incisal. axis of incisor 48 is shownby line 52. It is desired to tip the tooth to a corrected position at 48as shown in dashed lines. The corrected occlusal-apical axis is shown byline 54. The angle between the uncorrected and corrected axis (lines 52,54) is 0:. Arch wires 34 and 36 are flexed due to the uncorrectedposition of tooth 48. Thus, a pair of forces 56 and 58 act along theridges 6 and 8 as the arch wires 34 and 36 push against slots 14 to forma force couple to exert a mesial tipping force. As the tooth tips towardits corrected position the arch wires are less and less flexed untilthey become horizontal when the tooth is at corrected position 48' asshown by dashed lines 34 and 36'. It will be noted that the angle formedbetween the line of the arch wires between slots 14 when the tooth isuncorrected and the final horizontal position of the arch wires is theangle a. Thus, by properly choosing the vertical locations of slots 14for the desired corrected tip angle of the tooth, the proper tippingforces are exerted by arch wires 34 and 36 to achieve correction. Thusthe angle between the slots 14 and a horizontal line through bracket 2is the final tip angle of the tooth.

At the same time the tipping correction of FIG. 21 is taking place,torquing correction shown in FIG. 22 occurs. FIG. 22 is an elevationview through the mesialdistal axis of tooth 48. In its uncorrectedposition, tooth 48 has an apical-incisal axis shown by line 60. Thedesired torquing angle is shown with the 'tooth in dashed lines at 48with an apical-incisal axis of line 62. In the uncorrected position oftooth 48, arch wires exert push-pull forces 64 and 66 forming a forcecouple to rotate the tooth lingually along the mesial-distal axis. Whenthe arch wires 34, 36 are vertical with respect to each other, tooth 48is in its desired position. Thus the depth of slots 14 determine thefinal torque angle of the tooth and also the distance of the tooth fromthe arch wires (the in/out distance). FIG. 23 shows the manner in whicharch wires 34 and 36 are flexed when tooth 48 is in its uncorrectedposition to provide the torquing forces. It will be apparent that theforces resulting from the flexed arch wires act ing on the angles builtinto the bracket slots 14 can cause translatory motion of the tooth inany combina-' tion of the three directions shown in FIG. 19. I

FIG. 24 shows a mesial rotational force acting on tooth 48. It is to beunderstood that such a force may occur simultaneously with the forcesdescribed in FIGS. 21-23. FIG. 24 is a bottom view along theincisal-apical axis. Since the uncorrected position of tooth 48 is notparallel to arch wires 34, 36 there is a flexing of the arch wires inorder to reach the slots in ridge 8. Thus, a force 68 tends to rotatethe tooth mesially around the incisal-apical axis. The four-pointcontact locations are defined in terms of the ideal final arch bylocating the slots 14 along ridges 6 and'8 and by con trolling the slot14 depths.

FIG. 25 shows a perspective view of an orthodontic installationaccording to the present invention having a set of brackets 2 cementedto a central incisor 72 and a cuspid 74. For an understanding of thisexample the entire mouth need not be shown. A pair of parallel re-'traction arches 80 and 82 are shown installed in the brackets 2.Retraction arches 80 and 82 each have a pair of symmetrically disposedsprings 84. The use of a single retraction arch 82, or the pair ofretraction arches as shown in FIG. 13, is particularly useful in earlyphases of treatment of severely maloccluded teeth. The bracket 2 permitsthe use of two such retraction arches thereby permitting a more balancedretraction force than would be achieved with-a single arch wire and alsoincreasing the length of time between office visits.

In FIG. 26 the lateral incisors 86 and 88 are so far out of line thatthe arch wires 34, 36 cannot beflexed to reach the brackets. In order tomove the lateral incisors out along the labiaHingual axis a plurality ofligature wires 90 are tied from the arch wires 34, 36 to the brackets 2.The ligatures are tied so that some flexing of the arch wires occurs toexert a force on the lateral incisors. By using four sets of ligaturewires attached to the four slots of each bracket 2, a greater degree ofcontrol over the lateral incisors may be accomplished so as to provide,for example, rotational correction of the incisors at the same time thatthe teeth are translated labially.

FIG. 27 shows the use of the bracket tubes 10 and 12 with a pair ofspring auxiliaries 92 and 94, respectively. In the example of FIG. 27,the center bracket 2 is attached to a tooth (not shown) that has atipping angle too extreme for seating the arch wires 34, 36. Thus someinitial correction by means of auxiliaries is required until the toothis rotated far enough to seat the arch wires in bracket 2. Spring 92 hasits remote end corrected to tube 12 of bracket 2" and spring 94 has itsremote end connected to arch wire 34 by means of a hook 95. Ligaturewires (not shown) are employed to hold the arch wires 34, 36 in theslots 14 of brackets 2" and 2" when the bracket of FIGS. 6-8 is used.Alternately, a single spring 92 or 94 can be used.

FIG. 28 shows a plastic bracket 2 as shown in FIGS. 1-5 in greaterdetail. A symbol such as a conventional dental symbol for a particulartooth, may be molded into each bracket. Such a symbol may also beprovided in the metal brackets. The bracket for each tooth, which isdifferent, is thus easily distinguished by the practitioner. Inaddition, four notches 93, 95, 97, 99 may be provided along the edges ofthe bracket which is used without a band to facilitate its properalignment and affixation on the tooth. Light pencil markings 101 maybemade on the tooth 9 to ease such alignment.

FIG. 29 shows what is believed to be the desired torque angle, tipangle, and in/out distance of the right lower teeth. A similarrelationship is known for the upper teeth and is set forth in the tableabove. These relationships are thought to be the ideal relationship forthe human mouth existing in nature. The brackets according to thisinvention have the four-contact points arranged to achieve theserelationships for each tooth. It will be apparent that a practitionermay choose relationships at variance with the angles and in/outdistances shown here. The invention does not depend on these particularrelationships; the significant point is thatja choice, of somefinaltorque angle, tip angle, and in/out distance is made andconsequently the bracket foreach tooth has its slots arranged so thatthe desired tooth position is achieved when the arch wires are unflexed.Since each tooth has slightly different angles or in/out distance, thebracket intended for each tooth is different. Referring to FIG. 29(a),the torque angles for the central incisor, lateral incisor, cuspid,first bicuspid,

' second biscupid, first molar and second molar are 1,

1111 and respectively. measured from a line perpendicular to thehorizontal. Referring to FIG. 29(b) the tip angles for the above listedteeth are 2, 2, 5, 2, 2, 2, and 2, respectively, measured from a lineperpendicular to the horizontal. FIG. 29(c) shows the in/out distancesin millimeters with respect to an unflexed arch wire.

In FIG. 30 the configuration of slots 14 of a bracket 2 intended for usewith the cuspid is shown.FIG. 30(a) shows the arch wires 34, 36 in theirultimate vertical position. An 1 1 angle is formed between the archwires and the tooth: the desired torquing angle. FIG. 30(b) shows thearch wires'34, 36 in their ultimate horizontal position. A 5' angle isformed between the arch wires and the tooth: the desired tipping angle.FIG. 39(c) shows 30(c) distance between the vertical arch wires and thetooth surface as 0.6 mm.: the desired in/out distance.

The invention thus described comprises novel appliances for a uniqueorthodontic technique having all variables designed into the appliancesin harmony with nature and the physice of wires and biomechanicalforces. The technique differs substantially from the Begg light wiretechnique which has a bracket pinned at only one point and lacks threedimensional control. It differs from the edgewise technique whichrelying on a single arch and heavy forces encounters frictional binding.By means of the novel brackets disclosed parallel arch wires arepractical since congruent arches may be placed without binding. It willbe apparent that the invention as described may be practiced other thanwith the specific apparatus disclosed by making modifications apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art once the invention is known bythis disclosure. Thus, it is to be understood that the invention is tobe limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

l claim:

1. An orthodontic system for gently and efficiently straightening a rowof teeth, including in combination:

a. a plurality of round light arch wires normally in parallel planeswith each arch wire end anchored to a molar,

b. a series of orthodontic brackets attached to teeth lying between andforward of said molars, each said bracket having arch wire receivingmeans to hold said arch wires, each said arch wire being slidable withrespect to and rotatable within its receiving means, said receivingmeans holding said arch wires spaced apart at an angle across the toothcorresponding to a predetermined tip angle for each individual tooth towhich said bracket is secured, said arch wire receiving means beinglocated relative to the rear surface of said bracket facing the toothand a predetermined torque angle for each said tooth,

c. said arch wires being flexed into and held by said receiving meanswhereby torquing, tipping and/or horizontal in-out forces are applied tosaid teeth.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the predetermined tip and torque anglesare ideal angles and the in-out distance corresponds to an ideal archfor the patient.

3, The system of claim 1 wherein two round arch wires are employed.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein three round arch wires are employed.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said brackets include a pair of outwardextending ridges adapted to receive round arch wires, each of ridgeshaving apertures therein.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said brackets include a pair of outwardextending ridges adapted to receive two round arch wires, each ofsaid-ridges having two apertures therein, and said arch wires comprisetwo arch wires having securing means to secure said arch wires inparallel planes and said arch wires aligned one above the other andspaced from one another.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said brackets include a pair of outwardextending ridges adapted'to receive two round arch wires, each of saidridges having two apertures therein and said arch wires comprise threearch wires having securing means to secure said arch wires in parallelplanes with said arch wires spaced apart and with two of said arch wiresaligned one above the other and the third arch wire spaced laterallyforward and between the planes of said other two arch wires so that saidthree arch wires form a triangle when viewed in cross section.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said brackets include a pair of outwardextending ridges adapted to receive three round arch wires, each of saidridges having three apertures therein and said arch wires comprise threearch wires having securing means to secure said arch wires in parallelplanes and said arch wires aligned one above the other and spaced fromone another.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the arch wires are held by receivingmeans having a cross-sectional configuration that is a circular arc.

l0. Orthodontic bracket comprising a base having a front face and a backside, said back side adapted for attachment to a tooth or to a toothband,

said front face including receiving means for a plurality of round archwires in parallel planes, the crosssectional configuration of the archwire receiving means including a circular arc,

said arch wire receiving means being slidable with re- 'spect to saidarch wires and contacting said arch wires along their length sufficientto hold said wires spaced apart at an angle across the toothcorresponding to a predetermined tip angle, said arch wire receivingmeans being located relative to said back side at a predetermined in-outdistance and a predetermined torque angle whereby torquing, tippingand/or horizontal in-out forces are applied to said tooth when said archwires are flexed into place in said receiving means.

. 1 1. The bracket of claim l0 adapted for cementation directly on atooth.

12. The bracket of claim 10 formed from a plastic material.

13. The bracket of claim 10 wherein'said receiving means hold each ofsaid arch wires with at least two contacts.

14. The bracket of claim 10 wherein said front face further includesmeans for receiving an auxiliary orthodontic device.

15. The bracket of claim 10 wherein said means for receiving a pluralityof round arch wires comprises a pair of outward extendingridges, each ofsaid ridges having wire retaining slots extending from the front of saidridge toward the back side of said ridge.

16. The bracket of claim 10 wherein said means for receiving a pluralityof arch wires comprises a pair of outward extending ridges adapted toreceive two arch wires, each of said ridges having a pair of aperturestherein. 1

17. The bracket of claim 15 wherein the top of said ridges are flared todefine a pair of open ended tubes to receive a U shaped staple havingits arms inserted in said tubes for holding arch wires in said slots.

18. The bracket of claim 15 wherein said bracket is formed from aplastic material and wherein said means for receiving a plurality ofarch wires comprises a plurality of slots each having a narrow snap neckportion.

19. The bracket of claim 18 wherein the inner peripheral edges of saidslots are tapered to a narrow surface.

20. The bracket of claim 10 wherein said predetermined tip angle, in-outdistance and torque correspond to ideal angles for said tooth when saidarch wires are not flexed.

21. The bracket of claim 12 which is tooth colored. 22. An orthodonticarch wire apparatus for use in combination with a bracket attached to atooth, said apparatus comprising three light round arch wires inparallel planes, said wires conforming to smooth arch form of a size andconfiguration to substantially conform to the teeth in a human mouth,and means for securing said arch wires in a predetermined relationshipto each other, whereby said wires apply torquing, tipping and/orhorizontal in-out forces to the tooth when said wires are pre-stressedand connected in slidable and predetermined three dimensional relationto the bracket base. 23. The combination of claim 22 wherein theplurality of arch wires comprise three arch wires and said securingmeans secures said arch wires with the planes in which said arch wireslie parallel with said arch wires spaced apart and with two of said archwires aligned one above the other and the third arch wire spacedlaterally forward and between the planes of said other two arch wires sothat said three arch wires form a triangle when view in cross section.

24. The combination of claim 22 wherein the plurality of arch wirescomprise three arch wires and said securing means secures said archwires with the planes in which said arch wires lie parallel and saidarch wires aligned one above the other and spaced from one another.

25. The combination of claim 22 wherein said arch wires are coated withlow friction material.

26. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said arch form is an ideal archform.

1. An orthodontic system for gently and efficiently straightening a rowof teeth, including in combination: a. a plurality of round light archwires normally in parallel planes with each arch wire end anchored to amolar, b. a series of orthodontic brackets attached to teeth lyingbetween and forward of said molars, each said bracket having arch wirereceiving means to hold said arch wires, each said arch wire beingslidable with respect to and rotatable within its receiving means, saidreceiving means holding said arch wires spaced apart at an angle acrossthe tooth corresponding to a predetermined tip angle for each individualtooth to which said bracket is secured, said arch wire receiving meansbeing located relative to the rear surface of said bracket facing thetooth and a predetermined torque angle for each said tooth, c. said archwires being flexed into and held by said receiving means wherebytorquing, tipping and/or horizontal in-out forces are applied to saidteeth.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the predetermined tip and torqueangles are ideal angles and the in-out distance corresponds to an idealarch for the patient.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein two round archwires are employed.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein three round archwires are employed.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein said bracketsinclude a pair of outward extending ridges adapted to receive round archwires, each of ridges having apertures therein.
 6. The system of claim 1wherein said brackets include a pair of outward extending ridges adaptedto receive two round arch wires, each of said ridges having twoapertures therein, and said arch wires comprise two arch wires havingsecuring means to secure said arch wires in parallel planes and saidarch wires aligned one above the other and spaced from one another. 7.The system of claim 1 wherein said brackets include a pair of outwardextending ridges adapted to receive two round arch wires, each of saidridges having two apertures therein and said arch wires comprise threearch wires having securing means to secure said arch wires in parallelplanes with said arch wires spaced apart and with two of said arch wiresaligned one above the other and the third arch wire spaced laterallyforward and between the planes of said other two arch wires so that saidthree arch wires form a triangle when viewed in cross section.
 8. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein said brackets include a pair of outwardextending ridges adapted to receive three round arch wires, each of saidridges having three apertures therein and said arch wires comprise threearch wires having securing means to secure said arch wires in parallelplanes and said arch wires aligned one above the other and spaced fromone another.
 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the arch wires are held byreceiving means having a cross-sectional configuration that is acircular arc.
 10. Orthodontic bracket comprising a base having a frontface and a back side, said back side adapted for attachment to a toothor to a tooth band, said front face including receiving means for aplurality of round arch wires in parallel planes, the cross-sectionalconfiguration of the arch wire receiving means including a circular arc,said arch wire receiving means being slidable with respect to said archwires and contacting said arch wires along their length sufficient tohold said wires spaced apart at an angle across the tooth correspondingto a predetermined tip angle, said arch wire receiving means beinglocated relative to said back side at a predetermined in-out distanceand a predetermined torque angle whereby torquing, tipping and/orhorizontal in-out forces are applied to said tooth when said arch wiresare flexed into place in said receiving means.
 11. The bracket of claim10 adapted for cementation directly on a tooth.
 12. The bracket of claim10 formed from a plastic material.
 13. The bracket of claim 10 whereinsaid receiving means hold each of said arch wires with at least twocontacts.
 14. The bracket of claim 10 wherein said front face furtherincludes means for receiving an auxiliary orthodontic device.
 15. Thebracket of claim 10 wherein said means for receiving a plurality ofround arch wires comprises a pair of outward extending ridges, each ofsaid ridges having wire retaining slots extending from the front of saidridge toward the back side of said ridge.
 16. The bracket of claim 10wherein said means for receiving a plurality of arch wires comprises apair of outward extending ridges adapted to receive two arch wires, eachof said ridges having a pair of apertures therein.
 17. The bracket ofclaim 15 wherein the top of said ridges are flared to define a pair ofopen ended tubes to receive a U shaped staple having its arms insertedin said tubes for holDing arch wires in said slots.
 18. The bracket ofclaim 15 wherein said bracket is formed from a plastic material andwherein said means for receiving a plurality of arch wires comprises aplurality of slots each having a narrow snap neck portion.
 19. Thebracket of claim 18 wherein the inner peripheral edges of said slots aretapered to a narrow surface.
 20. The bracket of claim 10 wherein saidpredetermined tip angle, in-out distance and torque correspond to idealangles for said tooth when said arch wires are not flexed.
 21. Thebracket of claim 12 which is tooth colored.
 22. An orthodontic arch wireapparatus for use in combination with a bracket attached to a tooth,said apparatus comprising three light round arch wires in parallelplanes, said wires conforming to smooth arch form of a size andconfiguration to substantially conform to the teeth in a human mouth,and means for securing said arch wires in a predetermined relationshipto each other, whereby said wires apply torquing, tipping and/orhorizontal in-out forces to the tooth when said wires are pre-stressedand connected in slidable and predetermined three dimensional relationto the bracket base.
 23. The combination of claim 22 wherein theplurality of arch wires comprise three arch wires and said securingmeans secures said arch wires with the planes in which said arch wireslie parallel with said arch wires spaced apart and with two of said archwires aligned one above the other and the third arch wire spacedlaterally forward and between the planes of said other two arch wires sothat said three arch wires form a triangle when view in cross section.24. The combination of claim 22 wherein the plurality of arch wirescomprise three arch wires and said securing means secures said archwires with the planes in which said arch wires lie parallel and saidarch wires aligned one above the other and spaced from one another. 25.The combination of claim 22 wherein said arch wires are coated with lowfriction material.
 26. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said arch formis an ideal arch form.